Steward School
News
Weekly Newsletter
January 28, 2010 - Vol 1, Issue
20 | |
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| Handbook
Highlights |
 We believe these
guidelines will ensure the safest and most productive
school year. Thank you for your
support!Children should not arrive before 8:30 or leave
before 3:10.
Please pick up your child in the pick up line only,
not in the office or on the curb.
Please allow people to "buzz" in and do not open the
door for anyone.
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| Message from Mrs.
Costa
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This past
Monday, I attended two different sessions on the
Professional Development Day, "Differentiated
Instruction in the
K-2 Classroom" and "Transforming the Bullying
Dynamic." I chose correctly, knowing that two
areas I must keep my focus on are the importance of
reaching all learners and the safety and social security
of the students here at Steward. I have heard such
positive feedback from all the workshops, I will
facilitate a sharing session at our next staff meeting
so we can all benefit from the offerings.
I wanted to
take this opportunity to share some of the wonderful
information I received from Stephanie Meegan regarding
bullying. She provided me with several ideas
and activities I can do with the children during my
weekly Morning Meetings, which most often focus on
topics related to character development. We
discussed the importance of teaching children to accept
compliments proudly because they are a
"verbal gift." We also discussed the
importance of "catching them being good" but not always
giving a reward for this expected behavior. The
afternoon session focused mainly on ways to
empower the bystander and the three types of
bullying: verbal, physical and relational. It is
important not only to teach children not to bully
but also how to react when they are the target of a
bully.
After taking seven
pages of notes, I realized that I have much to process
but I know one thing, there is no place for
bullying at Steward School. I will do all I can to
empower the bystanders and delve deeper
into each situation to understand the root of the
bullying and ways to ensure our students feel
safe at school. For more information
about bullying please go to:
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Important
Dates |
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- February 9: School
Council-8AM
- February 11: Grade
Three President Program- 9:15AM-Cafeteria
- February 12:
Snow Date for Grade Three President
Program
- February 15-19: No
School-Winter Break
- Februsry 23: TESPTO
Curriculum Enrichment- Grade Three-
Cryogenics
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Update from Online
Math
League |
Many
students in grades 2 and 3 have been participating in the
Online Math League this year. The students have
participated in two practice sessions and have competed in two
contests. The Steward School team is doing great! If your child has not
signed up and would still like to participate, we would love
for them to join us.
Any student who would like a fun math challenge may
join. Please e-mail Donna Sewall at dsewall@topsfieldps.org
for the permission slip.
If
you would like to learn more please check out the Online Math
League website at: www.onlinemathleague.com. Just sign in as:
dsewall@topsfieldps.org
and the password is: Math
The
Online Math League has a wonderful practice area that
includes:
·
15
Practice Tests (and Growing!): Each
grade level has at least 15 online practice
tests that students can take & retake at any time.
·
Fully
Interactive: Each
practice test is a teaching tool that contains multiple levels
of feedback. Students who answer a question incorrectly are
provided additional strategies and may immediately try the
problem again.
·
Accessible
From Anywhere: The
Online Math League practice area is accessible from
home.
Online
Math League
Dates:
Monday,
February 8 - Practice (Grade 3)
WEDNESDAY,
February
10 - Practice (Grade 2)
Monday,
March 8 - Contest # 3 (Grade 3)
Thursday,
March 11 - Contest #3 (Grade
2)
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From the Health
Office: Clothing
donations |
The
health office is looking for donations of new
packages of children's underwear sizes 4-8 as well as
gently used, clean pants, socks and tops.
Thank you in advance for your
donation.
______________________________
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TESPTO News: |
BOXTOPS-
We will be having our 2nd collection for BOXTOPS on
February 24th. Please send your Boxtops
in at anytime between now and then. Your contribution to
this project does provide hundreds of dollars to Steward
School. Thank you for your support. Each of
the winning classes Pre K-3rd grade will receive an extra
recess. If you have any questions or concerns, please
contact Karen Martin at 13stagecoach@comcast.net. ____________________________________
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PROCTOR SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS SEEKING
INSTRUMENTS: Proctor School Band
Boosters is collecting gently used instruments as a donation
or for consignment. All proceeds will support the Proctor
School Band. If you have an instrument that needs a home, call
Sue Fisher at 887-1163 or fishertops@comcast.net
DON'T MISS OUT! Win great prizes all year long in
the "STRIKE UP THE BAND RAFFLE". The entire community
is invited to try their luck at winning premium sports
tickets, an overnight in first class accommodations, camp
tuition, musical instruments and lessons, and much
more. Entry forms can be found on
www.topsfieldschools.org under BAND. All proceeds
benefit the Proctor School Instrumental Music Program.
Contact Paula Burke at 887-6319 or pt4095@hotmail.com
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Topsfield Town Library Upcoming
Events |
Tai Chi For
Beginners - A free beginners adult Tai Chi
class offered
on Monday, February 8th at 7
PM in the Library Meeting Room. The class
instructed by Paul Mahoney of Great Bay Tai Chi
in Amesbury will run about an hour. The class will
explain how Tai Chi is only half physical and
half being exercises in concentration, relaxation and
meditation. The class will be geared towards beginners
wishing to give Tai Chi a try. Please sign up at the
library to attend this event.
Library Winter Concert, celebrates Mardi Gras with
Jazz great Henri Smith of New Orleans.
Friday, February 5, 2010,
7:30 PM. Free Concert, light refreshments,
limited seating, doors open at 7 PM.
Winter Book Sale Fundraiser -- The Friends Annual
Winter sale begins February 10th through February 13th.
Replenish your home library with these great book
bargains. If you are interested in volunteering, please
contact Karen at 13stagecoach@comcast.net.
Book donations are
being collected! The library will collect your
gently used books or DVDs for the sale, Please drop off
at the library. Unfortunately, we can not accept
encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines or VHS tapes. Thank
you for your support.
TTL Book Club's February Selection is
Abigail & John: Portrait of a
Marriage, by Edith
Gelles. The meeting is on Tuesday, February 16th
at 7 PM in the Library Periodical
Room. A limited number of
copies are now available at the main circulation
desk.
The Topsfield Town Library and the Topsfield Historical
Society in a joint venture, are please to offer a
theatrical reenactment of A Timeless Love Story: Love Letter of
John and Abigail
Adams. This event will take place on
Sunday, February 28th at 3 PM at the Gould
Barn.
Save
the Date! St. Patrick Day Fundraiser Party - March
19th. More information to
follow.
The Friends of the Topsfield would love to thank all that
participated in the December raffle with special thanks to our
donors without whom this raffle would not have been possible.
Please support these generous vendors. Our next
raffle will take place in the beginning of February. Any
venders wishing to donate should email Beth Aylmer at eaylmer@verizon.net.
_______________________________ | |
_____________________________________
Mrs.
Michelle Costa, Principal
Steward School
All programs, activities and employment
opportunities engaged in by the Topsfield Public Schools are
offered without regard to race, color, sex, religion,
national origin, sexual orientation and
disability. | |
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